Trapdoor for automobile floors



Aug. 24, 1926.

Gf-W. BARRINGER 'TRAIPDoo'R For;A AUTOMOBILE FL'ooRs Filed Mrch 13. 1926 INVENTOR George 9H Barrfmtge ATORNEYS Patented Aug. 24, 1926.

.y UNITED STATES GEORGE W. BARRINGER, or LawanNcaN-Ew YORK.

'rnAPDooR ron AUToMoBrLE FLOORS),

Application led March 13, `1926. Serialv No. 94,459. Y

.This invention relates to trap doors for automobile floors and has for an object to provide an improved construction wherein the door `may be readily opened by the foot whenever desired.

Another object of the invention is to provide a trap door for automobile floors whereinthe door may be readily opened and automatically closed or may be adjusted so as to remain open. i

In the accompanying drawing* Figure 1 is a fragmentary view in outline of an automobile, disclosing an embodiment of the invention applied to the floor thereof.

Figure 2 is an enlarged top plan view of the trap and part of the automobile floor illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view through Figure 2 on line 3 3.

Figure 4 is a sectional view through Figure 2 on line 4 4. l

In automobiles and particularly sedans or other closed cars, it is desirable to have a small opening which may be closed at any time in order that the same may be used as means of throwing small articles out of the automobile without opening a window or door. In some instances, it might be used in the capacity of a spittoon or ash tray for smokers. It is, therefore, evident that the trap door embodying the invention may be applied to any art of the floor or, if desired, to some ot er part of the automobile, without departing fromk the spirit of the invention.

As shown particularly in Figures 2 to 4 inclusive, the trap is provided with a frame 1 applied to the ioor 2 of the automobile and secured in place in any desired manner, as for instance, by the screws 5. The frame 1 is provided with an opening 4 normallyl closed by the lid or cover 5. The parts are preferably made from metal though they could be made from wood or other mate` rial. The cover 5 is hingedly connected at 6 to the frame/ 1L and is adapted to be swung to a horizontal position and a vertical position as desired. A pair of guiding tubular members 7 are secured to the lower surface of cover 5 and into these project the cover lifting and closing arms 8 which are preferably somewhat resilient thoughv stiff enough to perform the desired function. These arms are secured by screws or otherwise to a shaft 9 carried by the depending wall 1() of frame 1. The shaft 8 is rotatably mounted inthe wall z10i and .is preferably providedadjacent each end, with a ratchetV wheel '11,v said ratchet wheels projecting a short distance through suitable apertures 12 in the frame v1. A spring 13fis connected to the `bar 18 at one end and to a substantially U-shapedstraddling member 14 atthe op-.

posite end,lsaid Ushaped straddling memberhaving the4 ends 15 loosely ftted into an aperture in one ofthe wheels' 11". If de-` sired, the lspring 13 land associated parts could be'provided in respect to each of the wheels 11, though usually one `is sufficient. The spring y. 13 continually tendsV 4to `move shaft 9 in such a direction that the arms 8 will resiliently hold the cover 5 closed as In case it should be desired to leave the cover 5 raised for anappreciable time, the same is raised as just described and then the sliding catch 16 is moved overuntil the same engages between certain teeth of one of the wheels l1. This prevents a reverse rotation of the wheels 11 and, consequently, holds the 'parts in their open position. When theV parts are in this condition and it is desired te close cover 5, the button or projection 17 is pushed to the left as shown in Figure 3 or away from the wheels 11 and immediately spring 13 will function to close the cover. It will be noted that the arms 8 loosely fit in the guide so that they may Vproperly function.

What I claim is:

1. A trap door for automobile floors comprising a frame having an opening provided with a depending wall extending through the iioor of the automobile whereby access may be had to the interior of the automobile tlu'ough said opening, a cover lhingedly connected with said frame near one edge of the opening, said cover normally closing` said opening, a rock shaft rotatably mounted in said depending wall, an arm rigidly secured to said rock shaft and operatively connected with said cover for swinging the cover to an opened and closed position, ka manually actuated member connected with said shaft for rocking the shaft, and a spring connected with said shaft Aforrocking said shaft in such a direction as to close said cover. c

2. A trap door for automobile floors comprising a frame having a comparatively large opening, a cover normally closing said opening, rotatable means for opening and closing said cover, said rotatable means having ratchet Wheels positioned to be operatedbythe foot of the person sitting inthe automobile, and a spring connected Withsaid rotatable means for moving the same so as ated'member positioned to bemoved into` engagement With one of said-ratchet Wheels for holding the same against rotation Whereby sald cover may be locked 1n an open poition.

members, said arms extending loosely into. the tubular members, asrock shaft rotatably mounted on said frame,cmeans yfor rigidly securing said arms to said rock shaft, a Wheel secured to said shaft, said Wheel partly eX- tending through` and above said framev whereby the foot Vof .aperson may press' kagainst the wheel and ,rotate the same for opening said cover, and a spring operatively connected with'. said lshaft for rotating the same in such a directionas to close said cover. v

, GEORGEWQl BARR'INGER, 

